Review of the Farrow System

Councilman Weiner,

The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) would like to thank you and your volunteers for all of your efforts and collaboration with us to mitigate graffiti when it arises. As you know, graffiti costs DelDOT tens of thousands of dollars every year.

We also have reviewed the Farrow System that was demonstrated recently on a DelDOT building. DelDOT has learned that anti-graffiti volunteers are about to be trained in the use of the Farrow System. Because our staff saw the machine in operation, we do have some concerns on what structures and facilities the machine is used on. Staff in DelDOT’s Bridge Management, Historical Preservation, and Maintenance & Operations sections have expressed concern that the process by which the Farrow System removes graffiti paint, i.e. blasting crushed rock, could cause permanent damage to historical structures like bridges. Also, as The News Journal reported, the Farrow System actually stripped the surface paint off of a DelDOT building.

As we know you are one of the key figures in the anti-graffiti effort, we hope that you can instruct your volunteers to be mindful of which surfaces they treat and how they treat them, and to be sure to coordinate with DelDOT staff prior to use on any state structures or facilities. Or, if Farrow Systems USA can provide DelDOT with proof that this product will not damage historic property, please let me know. We understand that the Anti-Graffiti Brigade’s goal is to cover up graffiti as soon as it happens. However, when it happens on historic property, we must be extra careful.

If your volunteers have any questions about which structures should not be treated with the Farrow System technology, please contact me in Public Relations at 302-760-2146 or misty.seemans@state.de.us. Thank you again for all that you do.

Thank You,
Misty

Misty Seemans
Public Information Officer
Office of Public Relations
Delaware Department of Transportation
302.760.2146 (Dover)
302.943.2154 (Cell)
Misty.Seemans@state.de.us